Kourtney Kardashian GLP-1 Weight Loss Supplement

Does it seem like every other ad or commercial these days is for a weight loss drug like GLP-1? And now Kourtney Kardashian is getting in on the act by launching her own “all-natural” GLP-1 through her Lemme supplement line called Lemme GLP-1 Daily.

The dietary supplement is touted as a “groundbreaking capsule formula to increase GLP-1 hormone levels, reduce hunger and cravings, and support healthy weight management” and contains three clinically studied, patented ingredients: Eriomin® lemon fruit extract, Supresa® saffron extract, and Morosil™ red orange fruit extract.

But is Kardashian's latest supplement safe? And what do the studies actually show about its ingredients? Let's start by defining what GLP-1 is.

What is GLP-1?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone produced by the body that helps control blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. Insulin helps your body use or store the glucose (sugar) in your blood after you eat. The injectable drugs are called GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic the body's own GLP-1 hormone using synthetic GLP-1. They were originally developed for diabetics because they help lower blood sugar levels. Eventually, the medical community realized that people who took them also lost weight – and the rest is history.

However, Kardashian's supplement is not a GLP-1 agonist. It contains ingredients called nutraceuticals that are said to increase the body's natural GLP-1 levels. A press release about the supplement states that the three ingredients in Lemme GLP-1 Daily have been “shown in clinical studies to provide significant weight management benefits.”

Let’s take a closer look at what the studies on these ingredients actually show.

Eriomin® Lemon Fruit Extract

Eriomin® is the patented nutraceutical formula based on eriocitrin, a citrus flavonoid found in lemon juice and lemon peel. According to a 2022 study in Journal of Medical NutritionEriomin® consists of 70% eriocitrin, 5% hesperidin, 4% naringin, 1% didymin and 20% a mixture of different types of fiber, including cellulose, pectin, lignan, cutin and suberin.

In our search for studies on Eriomin®, we came across three. They were all conducted by the same team of researchers and funded by the company that developed Eriomin®: Ingredients by Nature™. If the company that produces the supplement being tested also funds the research into it, the chances of studies being biased are higher. In 2024, a fourth study was conducted, but on rats, not humans.

All three human studies were small in terms of participant numbers. One included 30 participants, another 103, and the third 45. And all three studies had similar results, suggesting that participants with prediabetes who took at least 200 milligrams of Eriomin® per day for 12 weeks showed improvements in GLP-1 blood levels and blood sugar levels, among other things – such as a healthier microbiome, likely due to the fiber in Eriomin®.

Supresa® Saffron Extract

Another ingredient in lemme GLP-1 Daily is Supresa® saffron extract. It was difficult to find studies specifically on Supresa®. The one that was found was listed on the manufacturer's website – PLT Health Solutions – and is a small study with 60 participants from 2010. This study was funded by the French company that makes the main ingredient in Supresa® called Satiereal® (hello, even more potential for bias!). Satiereal® is a patented extract of saffron (C. sativus L) Stigma. So Supresa® and Satiereal® are essentially the same thing, but have different names depending on the country.

This study involved healthy, slightly overweight women, 31 of whom took 176.5 milligrams of Satiereal® in capsule form twice daily for 8 weeks. The other participants received a placebo. The study results show that the group taking Satiereal® experienced greater weight loss compared to the placebo group – an average of -0.96 kg versus -0.01 kg. The Satiereal® group also ate fewer snacks, suggesting that the supplement may have a satiety effect that can cause you to eat less, which can lead to weight loss.

Morosil™ Red Orange Fruit Extract

Morosil™ Red Orange Fruit Extract is derived from Moro Red Oranges, a type of blood orange. They come from Italy, as does the company that makes Morosil™. As with the other ingredients in Lemme GLP-1 Daily, there aren't many studies done specifically on Morosil™. The manufacturer's website mentions one study, but there is no citation or link to it, so it's difficult to know if the results are accurate. They seem to be consistent with a 2015 study that suggested that those who took 400 milligrams of Morosil™ daily as a dietary supplement for 12 weeks had greater reductions in weight, waist, and hip circumference compared to the group that received a placebo. Physical activity was not encouraged, nor were dietary restrictions, such as reducing calorie intake. However, since the full study is not readily available online, it is also unknown who funded the study.

A more recent study from 2022 tested the daily administration of 400 milligrams of Morosil™ for six months and its effect on weight loss in overweight but otherwise healthy men and women compared to a placebo. Participants in both groups were instructed to walk for 30 minutes three times a week. They were also given a calorie-controlled diet. Participants did not know whether they were taking Morosil™ or a placebo, but were instructed to take their supplement once a day. Participants in the Morosil™ group had greater weight reductions and larger hip and waist circumferences compared to the placebo group. Bionap, the company that makes Morosil™, funded this research – so again there is a higher risk of results bias.

Is Lemme GLP-1 Daily safe?

The studies we found suggest that the individual patented ingredients in Lemme GLP-1 Daily appear to be safe. Most side effects occurred in the form of gastrointestinal discomfort such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

Because there are currently no studies on the specific combination of these three ingredients – as in Lemme GLP-1 Daily – it is difficult to determine whether they are safe and effective when combined. As always, we strongly recommend speaking with your doctor or a registered dietitian before shelling out the $72 monthly subscription fee for this supplement.

While there isn't much research specifically on the patented extracts in Kardashian's supplements — and the research is biased — it's important to know that there is research on the plants the extracts are derived from. For example, a 2023 study suggests that overweight teens who took a 60-milligram capsule of saffron daily for 12 weeks had greater declines in BMI and waist circumference than those who took a placebo. There was also a reduction in fasting triglycerides and an increase in HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”).

A further review of 2024 in Nutrition Reviews suggests that regular consumption of citrus fruits may have a positive effect on metabolism and body weight. However, more well-designed human studies need to be conducted as the current evidence is mixed.

“Extracts may be more effective because their phytonutrients are more easily absorbed by the body,” says Christa Brown, MS, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes and blood sugar management. “However, it's important to remember that the extraction process also removes other nutrients, such as fiber, water and vitamins.”

The conclusion

While studies have been conducted on each of the patented supplements included in Kardashian's Lemme GLP-1 Daily, the studies are biased because they were funded by the supplement manufacturers. And there are no known studies that have been conducted on combining all three. Because of this, it's difficult to say for sure whether they are effective for weight loss and appetite suppression, although the data from the studies on each individual supplement suggests they are. They also suggest that they are safe for most people. But because they are combined in the Lemme GLP-1 Daily supplement, the safety is ultimately unknown.

“Dietary supplements are tricky because they are not regulated in the same way as prescription drugs,” says Kerri McKinley, RPh, pharmacist-in-charge at North Country Healthcare in Lancaster, NH. “So they can make all kinds of claims and have no or minimal effectiveness.”

Be careful with terms like “clinically proven” and “doctor recommended.” First, nothing is truly clinically proven, as scientific studies can only suggest the strength of a link between two things – like supplements and weight loss – after many years of research by different research teams. And “doctor recommended” can be any single person with a medical license. It doesn't mean there's a whole group of doctors who have tested and recommended the product.

Brown reiterates the limited human studies on GLP-1 supplements like Kardashian's, making it difficult to believe claims that they alone are responsible for the desired results.

“In my practice, I do not recommend this supplement because the research on it is limited and the product is too expensive for my patients,” says Brown. “I would rather help my patients have better fiber intake and engage in stress-reducing activities like exercise, which regulate blood sugar levels and serve as an effective management tool against emotional eating. Both strategies are based on research with multiple human studies.”

If you are looking to use supplements, we strongly recommend that you use those that have been independently tested. This ensures quality and makes sure that what is on the label is what you are actually getting. As far as we know, lemme GLP-1 Daily has not been independently tested.

Whether you decide to try this supplement or not, remember that no pill can replace healthy habits. These include eating a balanced diet with a variety of foods, exercising regularly, managing stress, getting enough quality sleep, and spending time with loved ones. And a lower number on the scale doesn't guarantee good health if you don't maintain healthy habits. For example, there is evidence that physical activity is more important than the number on the scale when it comes to reducing health risks.